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  • PANDEF congratulates Akpabio as Senate President

    PANDEF congratulates Akpabio as Senate President

    The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has congratulated Sen. Godswill Akpabio (APC-Akwa Ibom) on his emergence as the President of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Mr Ken Robinson, made this known  in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Robinson said that the emergence of Akpabio was a welcome development, adding that his emergence also provided some degree of balance in the national government.

    The Forum described what it called an imperious attempt by some groups and individuals to foist `an all-Muslim’ leadership on the country, as not only unfortunate but also incendiary’.

    It also stated: “The relevancy of  `power balance’ to national order at this time of our democratic experience and existence as a nation cannot be overstated.

    “The 63 senators who voted for Akpabio’s emergence as Senate President are true patriots who stood for equity, fairness and justice.

    “We salute their courage and statesmanship in putting Nigeria’s unity and stability before parochial interests.

    “We thank President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their firm resolve on the zoning of the Senate presidency to the South-South and for following through on it.

    “PANDEF is confident that Godswill Akpabio with his wealth of experience and knowledge of the dynamics of the polity, will provide the desired leadership and candor in directing the affairs of the Senate and indeed the National Assembly to the utmost benefit of the people of Nigeria.

    “PANDEF further restates its commitment to the promotion of peace, unity and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region and the nation as a whole”.

  • Why South should be given Presidency of 10th NASS – Clark

    Why South should be given Presidency of 10th NASS – Clark

    Elderstateman and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark says the South should be allowed to produce the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly for equity, justice and fair play.

    Clark, also the leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) said that he was not bothered about zoning.

    Speaking in Abuja on Friday, he said: “I’m talking about equity, justice and fair play.

    “All I’m saying is if the president and his vice are muslims and the chief justice of Nigeria is a muslim, then what we are saying is the president of the senate should be given to a southerner.

    “A Christian southerner to show that this country is not being ruled by muslims alone.

    “This is a very serious issue which must be considered by our most distinguished senators. All the senators, the 109 of them should put Nigerians first before their states, before their religion, before their ethnicity,” he said.

    Clark added: “No Nigerian will accept a situation where he is a second class citizen, where he doesn’t know what is happening in his government.

    “They should look at the Constitution of Nigeria. There is no state religion, Nigeria is a secular country.”

  • Chief Clark marks 96th birthday, preaches National unity

    Chief Clark marks 96th birthday, preaches National unity

    Elder statesman and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark has called all Nigerians to shelve all differences and work toward the development of the country.

    Clark, also a former Minister of Information and leader,  Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), said this at a ceremony marking his 96th birthday in Abuja on Thursday.

    “We are all one irrespective of our differences. Anybody that believes Nigeria should not be one, or we are one by mouth, or some people are oppressed, and intimidated, then there is no country.

    “We cannot discriminate against our citizens. We must see ourselves as equal. That is what I’m fighting for.

    “I’m a Nigerian. I will not keep quiet if my people are suffering. If one side of the country is suffering, I believe we all belong to this country,” he said.

    Gov. Duoye Diri of Bayelsa supported Clark’s call for unity among Nigerians.

    “I share in Clark’s fight for justice. The only way there will be peace is when there is justice and equity.

    “We want to see a peaceful Nigeria and a just and equitable country where everyone will have a sense of belonging,” he said.

  • 10th NASS: PANDEF makes case for South-South Senate Presidency

    10th NASS: PANDEF makes case for South-South Senate Presidency

    The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has urged the APC leadership  in the Senate to zone the position of Senate President to the South South region.

    The group made the call in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Ken Robinson on Tuesday in Warri.

    The forum also implored the president-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, other key stakeholders of the APC, and indeed senators-elect of all the political parties and their parties hierarchy to support the ceding of the next senate presidency to the South South zone.

    The group observed that since the beginning of this current political dispensation in 1999, the South South zone had not had a turn in the office of the senate president.

    It also noted that the last time someone from the present South South states occupied the office of senate president was during the second Republic, from  1979 to 1983.

    The group said that zoning the senate presidency to the South South region would guarantee equity and fairness in the political arrangement in the country.

    “Ostensibly, the South South zone has an unassailable reason to step up to the senate presidency, after 24 years of our current democratic experience. No contrary arguments can stand against this South South
    position.

    “PANDEF, implores the president-elect, senator Tinubu, alongside other key stakeholders of the APC, and, indeed, senators-elect of all parties and the party hierarchies, to support the ceding of the incoming senate presidency to the South South.

    “This is, unarguably, the fair and proper thing to do at this time of our country’s political progression,” it said.

    The group expressed displeasure over some of the names reported in the media, to have indicated interest in the senate presidency.

    It said that the APC had upheld the
    principle of rotation of key political offices between the North and the South, in respect of the presidency of the federation.

    “Therefore,  APC is expected to maintain the same modus for the other major elective political offices like the senate presidency, speakership of the house of representatives and their deputies.

    “Surely, the leadership of the APC cannot be entirely unmindful of the fact that a “Muslim senate presidency” will bring further imperilment to national order.

    “PANDEF, as a body of patriots and proven committed stakeholders in the Nigerian project is compelled to issue this timely advice in the national interest,” the group said.

    The forum, however, urged politicians to draw lessons from recent happenings in the polity and demonstrate grander statesmanship and patriotism in designing the leadership of the upcoming 10th National Assembly

    It also cautioned that obsessive political characters should not be allowed to blur this all-important issue with the usual ignoble hoarse recourse to “internal affair” status.

  • Endorsement of Peter Obi sacrosanct, says PANDEF

    Endorsement of Peter Obi sacrosanct, says PANDEF

    The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) says the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, is sacrosanct.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Ken Robinson, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Abuja and made available to newsmen on Monday.

    The National Leader of PANDEF and elder statesman, Edwin Clark, had in January endorsed Obi and the affirmation by the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) on Feb. 2.

    The statement reads: “The attention of PANDEF has been drawn to certain gibberish in the media, regarding the forum’s endorsement of Obi, credited to a purported Youth Wing of the forum.

    “PANDEF urges the public to disregard the reported rejection of Obi’s endorsement by the so-called youths.

    “It is borne out of infantile musings.

    “In the first place, PANDEF does not have “wings”.

    “The forum maintains a consolidated framework at the national, state, and local government levels.

    The statement adds: “For the avoidance of doubt, PANDEF stands by the endorsement of Obi by our national leader, Clark, and the affirmation by SMBLF.

    “Without equivocation, PANDEF’s endorsement of Obi is sacrosanct.

    “PANDEF will not be distracted by the misdemeanor but would instead intensify efforts to ensure Obi’s victory in the Niger Delta region.

    “The forum cautions youths in the region not to succumb to the antics of greedy politicians and shun all acts of violence before, during, and after the forthcoming elections.”

  • PANDEF youth wing distance self from Peter Obi’s endorsement

    PANDEF youth wing distance self from Peter Obi’s endorsement

    The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) Youth Wing has distanced itself from the endorsement of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, by some members of the national leadership of the forum.

    Rising from an emergency meeting on Sunday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, the headquarters of PANDEF, the leadership of PANDEF Youth Wing, South-South States, said those who purportedly endorsed Obi in a meeting of the Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt Leaders recently were on their own.

    They claimed that Obi’s endorsement was done without due consultations with stakeholders, particularly the youth body of PANDEF, comprising national officers and state chapters chairmen.

    Their position was contained in a communiqué after the meeting, presided over by the National Deputy Youth Leader, Mr Vincent Oyibode, and signed by Edo Youth Leader, Mr Don Ben; Rivers Youth Leader, Mr Henry George; Akwa Ibom Youth Leader, Mr Victor Asuquo; Cross River Youth Leader, Chief Ani Esin; Delta State Youth Leader, Chief Sylvester Okumagba and Bayelsa Youth Leader, Mr Berenengia Samuel.

    The PANDEF youths said the purported endorsement was against the spirit and letters of the PANDEF Constitution in Article 1 (1) which stipulated that PANDEF was a non-political, non-partisan and non-religious organisation of the Niger Delta people.

    They stated that in a meeting where sensitive decisions were to be taken, it must involve all the national executive officers and state chapters chairmen, including those of the youth wings.

    They added that such meetings must be at the headquarters of the organisation in Yenagoa.

    The PANDEF youths stated: “There was no time PANDEF ever held a meeting to debate the need to participate or take a position as a group on the 2023 general elections and that those who purportedly endorsed Obi at that meeting spoke for themselves and not PANDEF and the South-South region of the Niger Delta.

    “That the major focus of PANDEF is to promote sons and daughters of the region on issues of public interest that bear direct and indirect impact on the well-being of the Niger Delta people as that is the constitutional aim and objective of the PANDEF Constitution.

    “That the same persons, without any meeting with stakeholders, have given ultimatum to a son of the Niger Delta, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to drop his ambition for reasons best known to them and that this does not have the blessing of the youths of region.”

    The youths also expressed concern over the monetary policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) now posing challenges to Nigerians and called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, put up an acceptable implementation mechanism.

    They sympathised with the families of youths that lost their lives in Edo and other places due to the poorly implemented monetary policy.

    They called on the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, to release the new Naira notes and also the network services should be made to be working efficiently.

    The PANDEF youths also called on the youths of Nembe Kingdom in Bayelsa where some persons were reportedly killed recently during rival groups clash to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

    They contended that the era had passed where brothers killed each other due to political interests, saying that politics would always come and go but community would remain forever.

    “Those few individual members of the national exco of PANDEF who purportedly issued the statement of endorsement of Peter Obi do not have the interest of the Niger Delta region because they disobeyed the constitution of PANDEF by nominating themselves into the Obi campaign organisation.”

    Reacting to the youths position in a telephone interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ken Robinson, Spokesman for PANDEF, dismissed the action as “childish”.

    He said that claims that PANDEF’s endorsement was done without consultations were false as most of the signatories to the rejection were indeed in the meeting when Obi met with PANDEF in Yenagoa.

    “We are going to deal with this internally as it is not tangible enough to warrant joining issues with a handful of misguided youths

    “The mastermind of this is an appointee of a governor and he took few youths, about seven of them, on this misguided voyage.

    “PANDEF’s endorsement of Obi stands, all the organs of PANDEF met Obi in December at Yenagoa and we promised to brief PANDEF leader, Pa Edwin Clark who subsequently endorsed Obi and so PANDEF is unanimously mobilising support, using our structures for Obi.

    “We are also behind Pa Clerk on his call on Okowa to pull out of the race because as far back as 2021, PANDEF had resolved that for equity and fairness, power should shift to the South after eight years of Northern Presidency and Okowa was amongst those that took the decision,” Robinson said.

  • Nigerians can’t breathe – By Owei Lakemfa

    Nigerians can’t breathe – By Owei Lakemfa

    BAYELSA State was for weeks submerged by floods which damaged or washed away bridges and roads, homes and farms, power transformers, and hospitals, and displaced 99 percent of its over 2.5 million people. Some deaths were recorded with the living clinging to life while the buried could not safely remain in their abode as the floods covered or washed away graves. The only means of reaching the state was either by air or water.

    State Governor Douye Diri, a fortnight ago, cried out that despite international concerns and desperate pleas, neither the Federal Government nor its agencies had sent relief materials. He was specific that although the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouk claimed to have sent relief materials, these had not been received.

    Indeed, if the Ministry had sent relief materials to such an area covering 10,773 square kilometres, there should be some evidence including when it was supplied, where and who received it. But no such evidence could be provided, leading to a recall of how the same Ministry in 2020 scammed Nigerians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Government had imposed a total lockdown on Nigerians with no movement. Subsequently, all schools were shut-down and children, like the rest of the citizenry were confined to their homes.

    Shockingly, the Disaster Ministry claimed it spent N523.3 million to feed pupils in three locations during the  lockdown. How was it possible to feed children who were on lockdown   at home? Did the Ministry procure the addresses of the pupils and went knocking their doors to feed them? There was not a shred of such evidence. No pupils could be produced who were fed by government during the lockdown. When doubts were raised, rather than keep her head down, Minister Umar-Farouq in an audacious move, addressed a world press  conference insisting that her fairy tales must be believed by a rational world.

    She claimed that in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, her Ministry during the lockdown, fed 88,227 pupils in 29,609 households. In Lagos, she claimed 112,767 pupils were fed in 37,589 households while in Ogun State, 181,173 pupils were fed in  60,391 households. In all, she claimed that her Ministry in seven weeks, fed 248,371 pupils in the three areas when their homes were under lockdown. In striving to explain the magic how pupils on lockdown at home were allegedly fed by her Ministry, she replied that they were “Take Home Rations.”

    If such money had been paid out as COVID-19 relief  package, each of the estimated 200 million Nigerians would have gotten N2.5 million each. It was a scandal over which a decent human being should have resigned. But she stayed in office; retained  by a government whose leadership when it was in opposition in 2012 popularised the slogan: ‘If Nigerians don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.’

    The school feeding programme itself is a mess. While the Presidency in 2020 claimed it was spending N679 million daily, the Minister denied this. Some weeks later, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, revealed that it had traced to private accounts N2.67 billion meant to be funds for the school feeding programme. The Federal Government was to later accept that the flood relief materials had indeed not gotten to the state.

    Its excuse was that trucks conveying them were stuck in Kogi State and other locations due to the flooded condition of the roads. This did not appear sensible as it was known for weeks that Bayelsa had been cut off from the rest of the world and that the two ways of reaching  it were by air or sea. So why would the Federal Government claim to have put trucks on the road and then  announce that it had supplied relief materials to the state?

    When finally the relief materials were airlifted on October 26 and 27, 2022, they were shockingly meagre. The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA South- South Zonal Co-ordinator, Mr. Godwin Tepikor, announced that the Federal Government supplied 1,400 bags of 10kg rice, 1,400 bags of 10 kg beans, 1,400 bags of 10kg maize and 75 20kg bags of salt while the non-food items supplied were 8,000 pieces of nylon mats, 1,000 pieces of mosquito notes and 600 cartons of bath soap.

    The State Government through its Emergency Management Agency Chairman, Hon. Walama Igrubia, disputed the Federal Government’s claims on the number of relief materials brought to the state. He was, however, emphatic that what the people need is primarily food: “The intervention so far is not encouraging. The non-food items brought can come later but the state needs food at the moment. It is when a man eats that he can survive.”

    The Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark, given the snail speed at which the Ministry seems to be working in an emergency in which lives were being lost, took a swipe at the Minister: “We have a Humanitarian Minister that is not humane, who was only active to carry out school feeding of school children who were confined to their homes during the COVID-19 lockdown.” Honourable Minister Umar-Farouk who appears to have a lot of time in her hands, responded in almost a child-like manner: “Merely looking at me, you know that I am humane.”

    At a press conference in the Presidential Villa on Thursday, November 3, 2022, Madam Farouk was obviously seething with anger over the Bayelsa State issue. In seeming to reverse herself on her false claims that only four local governments in the state were affected by floods, she said: “Almost all of Bayelsa, but it will also interest you to know that Bayelsa is not even among the ten most hit. I think Jigawa is number one and we have taken intervention to Bayelsa and it’s still on-going.”

    Incredible! It is a disaster for a Minister of Disaster to rank states affected by a disaster as if it were a sports competition in which medals were being awarded.  Her conclusion is primarily based on the number of deaths. So by her logic, since the floods led to 91 deaths with 148 injured in Jigawa, compared to 58 dead and 81 injured in Bayelsa, Jigawa wins the gold medal!

    Our country is suffocating; with inflation inching towards 20 per-cent, hunger spreading, insecurity, especially banditry, common place, the country being buried by debris of foreign debt, corruption rampant, hospitals in decrepit state and  education virtually abandoned, Nigerians can hardly breathe. Given the fact that the handover date is still six months away, we need to beg the Buhari administration to loosen a bit, its suffocating grip on the country so we can at least be alive to witness its glorious exit.

  • 2023: Southern politicians have been warned not to accept running mate positions – EK Clark

    2023: Southern politicians have been warned not to accept running mate positions – EK Clark

    Elder statesman and the Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark on Friday said that southern politicians have been warned not to accept running mate positions from any northern candidate if the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) refuse to zone the presidency to the south.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the South-South leader revealed this while interacting with journalists, saying any southern politician that accepts such a position would be regarded as unpatriotic.

    Clark said: “We strongly warn our politicians, former governors, ministers, senators and so forth not to accept a running mate position from any northern candidate because they cannot do with us and we cannot do without them.

    “That will show how serious we are and anybody who offers himself as a running mate will be regarded as the most unpatriotic and a man who has sold his own side of the country and not worthy of being respected and honoured.”

    He also described the growing number of presidential aspirants from the southern part of the country as madness and unrealistic.

    He said most of the aspirants from the south that have declared interest to contest for president in 2023 are playing double games.

    Clark wondered where aspirants from the ruling APC were getting N100 million to pay for the forms considering the level of hunger in the country.

    He stated: “It is madness. if I’m to be realistic they are not serious; particularly the southerners from the South-West and the South-South. There are some people that have gone to be bottle bags to play double games. So when it comes to where we say no, some people would come out to say yes we are contesting. So they know why some of them are there.

    “You have everybody in Nigeria where there is hunger, where there is lack of employment, where there is kidnapping going on every day, where children cannot go to school, where the economy is going down, these people were able to mobilize N100 million to pick form.

  • Niger Delta critical stakeholders demand immediate increase of 13% derivation to 50%

    Niger Delta critical stakeholders demand immediate increase of 13% derivation to 50%

    …condemn proposed Bill by 59 northern Reps seeking alteration to derivation principle

    …describe lawmakers as terrorists

    …warns FG that region is ready to mobilize resistance against attempt to alter Section 162 S2 SS2

    Critical stakeholders in oil producing states in Nigeria emerged from a virtual meeting last Monday demanding for an increase from 13percent derivation to 50percent.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this was contained in a communique issued by major stakeholders of the Niger Delta under the auspices of PANDEF.

    The Stakeholders apparently peeved over move by 59 northern lawmakers in the House of Representatives to alter Section 2 SS 2 of the portion harbouring derivation principle in the 1999 constitution as amended warned that any attempt to alter it will be met by resistance.

    In the communique issued and signed by the stakeholders, a seven-point demand was made which includes the following:

    “Unequivocally and in full resolution, condemns the obnoxious and Satanic Bill intended to delete Subsection 2, Section 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and describes the Bill as a “Legislative Coup” against Oil and Gas Producing States and Regions of the Country.

    “Warns that the Niger Delta people are ready and mobilized to dispense full resistance against this wicked machination and any future attempt to further Economically Emasculate the Region and its people. We will resist this Satanic and Senseless Coup with every fibre in our being. If they move one more step, we will respond in kind.

    “Describes the sponsors of the Bill, the 59 ignominious, and barefacedly dishonourable Members of the House of Representatives and their clandestine backers, as “Terrorists”, who do not care about the peace, progress and corporate existence of Nigeria.

    “Reminds the 59 dubious and rapacious Members of the House of Representatives, their Sponsors and indeed all Nigerians that the Derivation principle was negotiated by the founding fathers of Nigeria before Independence and it cannot be deleted now. And that any attempt to do so is a call to anarchy.

    “Implores President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to focus attention on addressing the fundamental issues confronting the country, instead of further stoking the ambers of discord and disharmony.

    “Notes that the extant 13% derivation has not been reviewed for 22 years, despite the constitutional provision for review of revenue allocation every five (5) years, to reflect changing economic realities.

    “Consequently, DEMANDS AN IMMEDIATE INCREASE OF THE 13% DERIVATION TO 50%.

    “That, the position of the Niger Delta People is 50% Derivation, and nothing less.

    Read full communique below:

    COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF AN EMERGENCY GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PAN NIGER DELTA FORUM, PANDEF, HELD
    ON MONDAY, 25TH OCTOBER, 2021

    An emergency General Assembly of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, was held (virtual) on Monday, 25th October 2021. The Meeting which was chaired by the National Chairman of PANDEF, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, FNSE, had in attendance Critical and Strategic Stakeholders of the Niger Delta Region; including Representatives of Governors, Former Governors, Members of National Assembly both serving and former, Retired Top Military & Security Officers, Members of PANDEF Board of Trustees, Presidents of Ethnic Organizations, First Class Traditional Rulers, Leaders of Oil and Gas Host Communities, Women and Youth Leaders, Civil Activists as well as Niger Deltans in the Diaspora.

    2. Elder statesman and PANDEF National Leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON, delivered a goodwill message at the meeting while the Director-General of BRACED Commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi, OON, gave a keynote speech.

    3. The Meeting extensively discussed a Bill cited as Constitution (Alteration) Bill 2021, intending to delete Section 2, Subsection 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), sponsored by 59 Members of the House of Representatives from the Northern part of the Country; given its socio-economic consequences on the Niger Delta Region and the Country at large.

    4. Arising therefrom, the Meeting resolved as follows:

    i. Noted that following the Richard’s Constitution of 1946 and Macpherson’s Constitution of 1951, Derivation Principle became a major factor in Revenue Allocation in Nigeria. And was reflected in both the 1960 Constitution and 1963 Constitution.

    ii. That the principle of derivation as encapsulated under the proviso to Section 162 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), was aimed at providing recompense to the producers of any natural resources for the expropriation and sequestration of their rights to control and manage same, by the Nigerian State.

    ii. That when revenues from cocoa (in the West), groundnut (in the North), and Palm Produce and Coal (in the East) were the nation’s economic mainstay, derivation in the Revenue Allocation principle was not less than 50 per cent.

    iii. Noted that derivation, as a revenue allocation principle, has been resolutely suppressed since crude oil became the country’s major revenue earner. Meanwhile, oil and gas exploration activities have degraded the hitherto luxuriant, healthy ecosystem of the Niger Delta, and damaged the indigenous people’s means of livelihood, with little or no effort to ameliorate their consequential dire standard of living.

    iii. Therefore, insists that the principle of derivation in revenue allocation in Nigeria cannot be deleted from the Constitution.

    iv. Notes that it is not only against the principles of fairness, equity and justice but atrocious and wicked to contemplate deleting derivation principle from the Nation’s Constitution.

    5. Therefore, the Meeting:

    i. Unequivocally and in full resolution, condemns the obnoxious and Satanic Bill intended to delete Subsection 2, Section 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and describes the Bill as a “Legislative Coup” against Oil and Gas Producing States and Regions of the Country.

    ii. Warns that the Niger Delta people are ready and mobilized to dispense full resistance against this wicked machination and any future attempt to further Economically Emasculate the Region and its people. We will resist this Satanic and Senseless Coup with every fibre in our being. If they move one more step, we will respond in kind.

    iii. Describes the sponsors of the Bill, the 59 ignominious, and barefacedly dishonourable Members of the House of Representatives and their clandestine backers, as “Terrorists”, who do not care about the peace, progress and corporate existence of Nigeria.

    iv. Reminds the 59 dubious and rapacious Members of the House of Representatives, their Sponsors and indeed all Nigerians that the Derivation principle was negotiated by the founding fathers of Nigeria before Independence and it cannot be deleted now. And that any attempt to do so is a call to anarchy.

    v. Implores President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to focus attention on addressing the fundamental issues confronting the country, instead of further stoking the ambers of discord and disharmony.

    vi. Notes that the extant 13% derivation has not been reviewed for 22 years, despite the constitutional provision for review of revenue allocation every five (5) years, to reflect changing economic realities.

    vii. Consequently, DEMANDS AN IMMEDIATE INCREASE OF THE 13% DERIVATION TO 50%.

    That, the position of the Niger Delta People is 50% Derivation, and nothing less.

    6. The Meeting was held in an atmosphere of peace and collective commitment to the decisions.

    7. Done this 25th Day of October 2021.

    Signed:

    Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, FNSE
    National Chairman Akwa Ibom State

    Chief Hon. Thompson Okorotie, OFR
    Deputy National Chairman
    Bayelsa State

    Senator Bassey Ewa- Henshaw
    PANDEF State Chairman
    Cross Rivers State

    Prof. G. G. Darah
    PANDEF State Chairman
    Delta State

    Dame Betty Igbeyi
    PANDEF National Woman Leader
    Edo State

    Prof. B. B. Fakae
    Member, PANDEF BoT
    Rivers State

  • 13% Derivation: PANDEF summons Niger Delta Govs, others to emergency meeting

    13% Derivation: PANDEF summons Niger Delta Govs, others to emergency meeting

    Apparently sensing the danger ahead, the Pan Niger Delta Forum has convoked an emergency “general assembly” for Monday over a bill in the House of Representatives seeking to amend the Constitution to remove the 13 percent oil derivation formula being enjoyed by oil-producing states, especially in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

    The obnoxious Bill has generated a lot of heat in Niger Delta.

    The bill currently awaiting second reading was promoted by 59 members of the House from across the states in the North, including the leader of the Northern Caucus, Musa Sarkin-Adar.

    The proposal seeks to delete Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which has to do with the management of the Federation Account.

    PANDEF, in an open invitation issued on Friday by its National Chairman and former Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Emmanuel Essien, invited governors of states in the Niger Delta and members of the National Assembly from the oil-rich Niger Delta region to the virtual meeting.

    The invitation is titled, ‘Agenda: The Bill to Delete Subsection 2, Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) sponsored by 59 Northern Members of the House of Representatives .’

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls that the President of INC, President Ben Okaba had issued a statement last week cautioning the Federal Government to allow sleeping dog to lie as the matter will not be treated with levity by all Niger Deltans .